  Baku police disperses hijab rally participantsMay 6, 2011 - 16:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Police in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, have broken up a protest against a ban on schoolgirls wearing the Islamic headscarf, or hijab. A crowd estimated at between 100 and several hundred people gathered outside the Education Ministry shouting “God is great” and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Misir Mardanov. Video footage by an RFE/RL correspondent shows police dragging several people away in police vans. It’s not clear how many people were detained. According to Eurasianet, a video of the scuffle posted on YouTube depicts something less than an orderly resolution of the matter. One policeman sprays an unknown substance into the face of a chanting protester as he is bundled into a police car. Another, sporting an officer’s flamboyant hat, delivers a well-aimed kick to the backside of a departing protester. The hijab ban announced late last year has sparked a series of public protests in Azerbaijan. Authorities say the ban is part of an attempt to restore Soviet-era school uniforms to public education.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation  About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty.Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015.Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |
